The Mount Ousley interchange in NSW is now considered a “high priority” project with an additional $72 million being invested in the key freight corridor from the recent federal budget.
The Australian Government has now committted $312 million and the Minns state government an additional $78 million in the interchange which was part of a federal goverment funding review last year which brought the axe down on 50 big budget infrastructure projects.
When complete, the interchange will include southbound heavy vehicle bypass lanes and safety ramps, a commuter carpark, and a shared path and vehicle overpass for improved access between Mount Ousley Road, M1 Princes Motorway and the University of Wollongong.
Major work is expected to start in late 2024 and the project is expected to take about four years to complete, weather permitting.
The Australian Government has also committed $5 million to undertake a final business case on improving the safety and resilience of the M1 Princes Motorway at Mount Ousley, with planning works expected to be completed by mid-2027.
An estimated five million tonnes of freight travels the M1 Princes Motorway each year, as one of the main road freight corridors to and from the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region.
Meanwhile, the Urban Design and Landscape Strategy Report (the report) for the interchange is now on public display until Sunday, June 9.
Transport for NSW regional director south, Cassandra Ffrench, said the report provided details on landscaping, interpretative signs, wayfinding and structural elements like noise walls.
“We are inviting the community to view and provide feedback on proposed design elements in the report such as landscaping and species selection, interpretive signs, as well as artworks and finishes on retaining walls and bridge safety screens,” Ffrench said.
“Feedback received, along with investigations and early work currently being carried out, will inform detailed design for the interchange in preparation for major work to start later this year.”
The project team will also be available to discuss the project, answer questions and collect feedback at the Wollongong Markets in Crown Street Mall on Friday, May 31 and Friday, June 7 between 8am until 3pm.
Additionally a drop-in session will be held on Monday, June 3, between 3pm and 7pm at TAFE Wollongong Library.
You can also have your say on the proposed design elements here.